Improvement



A H CALKNS. 2Sheets--Sh 1 Improvement in Washing-Machines.

Patented S ep.10,1872.

WI TNEESEE YINVENTUH I gnaw Aim aww,

Orrroni.

ALMO) I-L'CALKINS, OF GHESTERTON, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT lN WASHlNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 133,149, datedSeptember 10, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMON H. GALKINs, of Chesterton, in the county ofPorter and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Washing-Machines, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in theart to which my invention appertains to make and-use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a front elevation of myimproved washingmachine; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same in theplane of the line as m; Fig. 3, a side elevation of a part of the innerface of one of the segmental pieces; Fig. 4, an end view of one of thesegmental pieces, showing the position of the rollers therein. Fig. 5,also represents a vertical section of my improved machine, in the planeof the line or as, showing a modification in the construction,arrangement, and application of the hingeplate; and Fig. 6 represents anend view of the hinge-plate, so modified, more clearly showing thevertical ridge thereon.

My invention relates to that class of washing-machines in which theclothes are turned between a large corrugated roller and a yieldingjacket of small rollers, the whole being supported upon a frame attachedto a tub; and it consists in certain novel features in the constructionand arrangement of the various parts of the machine, which features arehereafter more particularly mentioned; the object of my invention beingto render the operation of the machine more effectual and simplify itsconstruction.

In the drawing, A A represent small rollers. Some of these rollers maybe spirally grooved, as shown in Fig. 1. B B are small segmental piecesarranged together in the form of a larger segment, and G O are platesrigidly attached either to the pieces B or B, and pivoted to theadjacent segmental piece or pieces, as shown by the dottedlinesin Fig.2.The distance between the adjacent radial edges of thepieces B B issufficient to admit of a slight turning of the pieces B B on the pivotsof the plates G O, and the latter overlap the surface of the formersufficiently to prevent a torsional movement of the said pieces. D is along vertical rigid rib or shoulder, projecting outwardly from the pieceB. The ends of the rollers A A have a pivoted bearin g in the yieldingsegmental frame thus formed, so that they will be readily rotatedtherein by the friction of the clothes against them. E is a rigidshoulder, projecting inwardly from the segmental pieces B B, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4. This shoulder E serves to protect the spindles of therollers AA against a severe upward strain, but does not extend over thelatter sufficient- 1y to prevent them from turning freely by reason ofits friction against them during such strain. This shoulder E, however,is only auxilliary to the operation of the machine, and may be dispensedwith without materially impairing itsusefulness. F F are the standardsof the frame, and F F are vertical grooves on the inner sides thereof,in which the ribs or shoulders D D have a bearing, and these ribs orshoulders may also be provided with a small vertical ridge on theirsides, as represented in Fig. 2, in order to prevent the ends of thesaid ribs from comin g in contact with the standards F F. The featuresof my improvement in the jacket thus described, are, the broadoverlapping pieces or plates 0 G, and the long vertical ribs orshoulders D D, whereby a more positive vertical movement is obtained.Heretofore the bearing of the jacket in the standards has been formed bya continuation of the spindle of the central roller of the jacket intothe groove of the standards, and the spindle being round has admitted oftoo great a tilting movement of the whole jacket. The function of theplates 0 G has heretofore been merely to connect the segmental pieces. Gis a large, corrugated roller, arranged below the rollers A A, andhaving a bearing in the standards F F. H is a crank by means of whichthe roller G is rotated. I is a small roller turning in bearings on thestandards F F, and J is an apron about the rollers I and G, for thepurpose of feeding the clothes between the latter and the rollers A A. Kis the bottom board made in two parallel vertical pieces set into thestandards F F. L L are cleats, which, for convenience of transportation,are attached to the standards F F, but which, in use, are removed andattached to the inner side of the tub, so that the machine may bearranged in the latter by setting the ends of the bottom boards over thesaid cleats. In order to prevent the machine from sinking too low in thetub the bottom of the cleats L L is provided with lateral projections,extending sufficiently to prevent the machine from sinking lower thanmay be desired. M is a downwardly-curved flexible rod, the ends of whichare hooked into eyes in the pieces B B, respectively, as shown in Fig.2. N is a closecoiled spring hooked on the central part of the rod M,and extending downward between the bottom boards K K. O is either aflexible or rigid cross-piece, capable of moving freely between thebottom boards K K to the ends of which cross-piece the lower ends of thesprings N N are respectively attached. Pis a bolt passing through thecentral part of the crosspiece 0, and extending downward between thebottom pieces K K. Q is also a cross-piece lying across the edges of thebottom boards K K, through which latter cross-piece the bolt 1 alsopasses. The lower end of the bolt P is screw-threaded, and R is a nut onits threaded end. By tightening or loosening the nut R the tension ofthe springs N Nis either increased or diminished, and the pressure ofthe jacket of small rollers upon the clothes thereby regulated. Bycontinuing the bottom boards K K entirely across the machine aconvenient attachment is provided for the springs N, and the partsoperating in connection therewith for the purpose of adjustment, andthese parts are shielded from injury.

1f preferred, the frame of the adjustable jacket above described may beconstructed of only two segmental pieces, as shown in Fig.

5, and when so constructed the plate 0 is preferably pivoted to theouter segmental pieces, and provided with the shoulder D, as thereshown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In combination, the vertically slottedstandards F F, yielding segmental pieces B B, hinged together by meansof the broad overlapping plates 0 G, the segmental piece B beingprovided with the long vertical rib or shoulderD, the small rollersAA,and large corrugated roller Gr, all constructed and arranged togethersubstantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In combination, two or more yielding segmental pieces, 13, hingedtogether by means of one or more broad overlapping plates, 0, piv-' otedto the outer face of the said segmental pieces, the single or centralplate 0 being provided with the long vertical rib or shoulder 'D,rollersA A, verticallyslotted standards F F, and large corrugated roller G, allconstructed and arranged together, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

3. In combination with the subject-matter of the last-foregoing claim,the flexible rod M, springs N, cross-piece 0, bolt P, bottom board K K,and nut R, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

ALMON H. OALKINS.

\Vitnesses:

N. G. GRIDLEY, F. H. BROWN.

